2024 Shriners Children’s 500: Christopher Bell Capitalizes on Teammate Denny Hamlin’s Phoenix Misery Amidst Triumphant Victory Lane Return

So far in the 2024 Cup Series season, things have been difficult in the Toyota camp. Having said that, the race at Phoenix Raceway changed all that significantly. With Tyler Reddick, Ty Gibbs, and Christopher Bell performing exceedingly well, the Japanese manufacturer can now feel a sigh of relief. However, it all came at the expense of Denny Hamlin.

The race in Arizona witnessed the introduction of the new aero package from NASCAR for short tracks. Safe to say, it didn’t disappoint as Bell triumphed with an amazing performance despite starting P13 on Sunday.

Christopher Bell registers debut win in Arizona as Toyota drivers dominate

With a lot at stake, plenty was expected from the race at Phoenix Raceway. So far, Chevrolet dominated the proceedings in the Cup Series and it was time Toyota stepped up. With three drivers starting in the top five, a change in performance was present on the cards.

Denny Hamlin led the field at the start of the race but was almost instantly passed by Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Ty Gibbs. In the 7th lap, on came the first crash of the event. Derek Kraus spun and collected Austin Cindric and Austin Dillion. Unfortunately, this ended Cindric’s day in Arizona.

At the same time, Toyota had a happy outing in Stage 1. In the first four races, the Japanese manufacturer managed to lead 15 laps in total. However, at Phoenix Raceway, Ty Gibbs’ superb run in the first 60 laps managed to drastically change that. He led 57 laps until Tyler Reddick did amazingly well to clear him and took Stage 1.

With Reddick winning the first stage and Gibbs putting on a dominant performance, it certainly was impressive for Toyota. Erik Jones and Hamlin finishing in the top five in Stage 1 only made it better for the manufacturer. On the other hand, only Chase Elliott from Chevrolet managed to join the top five list after the first stage.

On came Stage 2 and everyone in the lead lap decided to pit. After that, Hamlin took the lead courtesy of some quick work from his pit crew. Meanwhile, Kyle Larson had to pit again as his left rear wheel needed to be tightened. Ty Gibbs lost three spots with the pit stop.

What was most interesting about Stage 2 was the intense battle between Tyler Reddick and his boss Denny Hamlin. Both raced strongly and eventually in the 134th lap, Reddick made the pass on the Joe Gibbs Racing driver. It only got worse for the 43-year-old when teammate Christopher Bell passed him in the 169th lap.

Bell’s stunning run didn’t just stop there. With five laps remaining in Stage 2, he passed leader Reddick. Bell canceled out what looked like a comfortable run for the 23XI Racing driver. At the end of the second stage, Hamlin, William Byron, and Martin Truex Jr joined the top five.

However, at the start of Stage 3, Stage 2 leader Christopher Bell was left with a massive blow. Due to issues on his right rear, Bell came out P10 after the pit stop. While it was a pity, the race was an even sadder outing for Kyle Busch, who spun on Turn 2 to bring out a caution in the 197th lap.

On a day his car did not look great, Busch suffered miserably. “It’s back to sh** again on restarts,” Rowdy said. This event almost certainly ended any hopes of a fourth win at Phoenix Raceway for the Cup Series veteran. Having said that, the restart from the caution helped Reddick regain the lead from Hamlin.

In the 206th lap, John Hunter Nemechek got into the rear of Joey Logano, turning the #22 car. This resulted in a multi-car crash, including Corey LaJoie, Josh Berry, Derek Kraus, and Zane Smith. What was worse is that the wreck ended Logano’s race, meaning he finished 34th in the fourth race this season.

Another interesting record that broke with this wreck was that of Corey LaJoie. After 44 races without a DNF, the Spire Motorsports driver saw his streak end. However, he would be proud to know that it was the longest streak in the Cup Series.

If that wasn’t enough, even Denny Hamlin suffered an unimaginable fate. He spun in the 216th lap while fighting for the lead with Tyler Reddick. It was indeed a massive blow for Hamlin, who was looking to register his third win at Phoenix Raceway. A game-changing event in the truest sense.

While Hamlin was involved in a wreck, a similar case happened between Erik Jones and Bubba Wallace. However, after the restart, Ty Gibbs capitalized as he went from the 10th to the 3rd position. Not only him, but his JGR teammate Christopher Bell also passed Noah Gragson to re-enter the top ten in the 229th lap.

Both Toyota drivers pushed hard, but Bell looked more convincing. By the end of the 255th lap, he made a pass on Ross Chastain, moving to third on the track and being the second car good on fuel to complete the remaining race. Bell’s car was easily the best on the track as he went past teammate Ty Gibbs in the 261st lap, 5 seconds behind leader Martin Truex Jr. Unfortunately, Truex Jr had to pit in the 271st lead as he feared running out of fuel.

Despite some tough efforts from Gibbs and Chris Buescher, Bell looked uncatchable. Eventually, he registered his first-ever victory at Phoenix Raceway and his first of the 2024 Cup Series campaign.

Safe to say, had Denny Hamlin not spun in the 216th lap, things could have played out differently.

Nevertheless, it turned out to be a happy outing for Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing.

Christopher Bell helps Toyota bounce back from a dismal start to the 2024 season

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It is no secret how Toyota struggled in the first three races of the season. Despite some decent performances, the end product seems to have been missing. However, Christopher Bell and his team’s well-calculated act at Phoenix Raceway has certainly put an end to Chevrolet’s dominance so far.

Bell won by a margin of victory of 5.465 seconds, the highest in the Next Gen era. While that’s some achievement, it is indeed a statement of the car power Toyota possesses. Not only Bell, but even Ty Gibbs showcased his amazing ability behind the wheel with a P3 finish.

While two Toyota cars finished first and third, Ford ensured that no Chevrolet car made it to the top five at Phoenix Raceway. Chris Buescher ended P2 with Brad Keselowski and defending champion Ryan Blaney finishing fourth and fifth. While it is a pity for Chevrolet, it is an indication of the intense competition in the Cup Series.

For now, it is celebration time for Christopher Bell. It is not just his seventh Cup Series win, but this race also marked his seven victories at seven different tracks. The 29-year-old has now made it to the playoffs and has considerably more time than others to plan out his strategy.

READ MORE – “SH*T Happens”- Denny Hamlin Almost Wipes Out Entire NASCAR Field After Tyler Reddick-Phoenix Clash